Review: A Little Chicken by Tammi Sauer

A LITTLE CHICKEN

by Tammi Sauer

Illustrated by Dan Taylor

Sterling Children's Books

Picture Book

ages 4 to 8

32 pages

Dot is a little chicken, who is, let’s face it, a little chicken. Can she find a way to pluck up her courage?

“A gently humorous take on conquering fear that's also a fine read-aloud.” —Kirkus 

Dot is scared of lots of things: wolves, bears, the occasional lawn ornament. But when one of her mother’s eggs rolls out of the nest, this nervous chick must find the courage to save the day—and her new sibling! So she bravely ventures down the steep hill, into the deep pond, and into the dark woods. Perfect for any kid who needs a little encouragement to face the challenging world, this story proves that sometimes a big hero is just a little chicken.

MY TIDBITS

This is the story of a little chicken (super sweet one), fear, and what happens when circumstances demand a hero no matter how much those bird legs might quiver.

Dot was a little chicken. And Dot wasn't very brave. Not at all. But she's excited about soon having siblings...until one of the eggs rolls out of the next and out the coop. Dot knows that this is probably going to be an adventure past her comfort zone, but off she goes to save that egg. Little did she know exactly how adventurous the entire episode would become.

This book has a wonderful play between text and illustrations—a masterful balance! The story is direct and says only those things, which need to be said. The rest ties right in with the pictures, allowing Dot and her adventure to hit full force. And this is quite the adventure! Dot's geeky glasses and over-careful attitude are endearing and make Dot that much easier to cheer for, when Dot oversteps her personal boundaries. 

But then, the egg must be saved! Every young listener will wonder if Dot can make it past her own fears and save that egg. It's tense, has a very clear message, and brings a wonderful character straight to the heart. Young listeners will love this one.

And here they are...

The Author...
Tammi Sauer is the author of But the Bear Came Back, Caring for Your Lion, Chicken Dance Bawk and Roll, Cowboy Camp, Mary Had a Little Glam, Your Alien Returns, and Your Alien—which earned starred reviews from Publishers Weekly and Kirkus. Tammi has worked as a teacher and library media specialist and now lives in Edmond, OK with her husband and their two children. Her local indie bookstore, Best of Books, named July 9 Tammi Sauer Day! Follow her on Twitter at @SauerTammi and visit her at TammiSauer.com.

The Illustrator...

Dan Taylor is the illustrator of Tammi Sauer's But the Bear Came Back (Sterling). Born in Staffordshire, he studied art and illustration, graduating with a degree in visual communication. He has worked with a variety of publishers, including Simon & Schuster Usborne, Campbell Books, and Scholastics. Dan lives in the United Kingdom.

Review: But the Bear Came Back by Tammi Sauer

BUT THE BEAR CAME BACK

by Tammi Sauer

Illustrated by Dan Taylor

Sterling Publishers

April 3, 2018

Picture Book

ages 4 and up

32 pages

What happens when a bear comes knocking at your door—and won’t go away?

“And I said, ‘Go home, bear.'
And that was that.
But the bear came back.” 

Knock, knock. Who’s there? A BEAR! A furry, friendly PERSISTENT bear. And no matter how many times a grouchy little boy tries to tell him that bears don’t belong in houses, he keeps coming back—until, one day, he doesn’t. Only then does the boy realize how much he cares about the bear . . . and misses him. Can he find his friend again?

MY TIDBITS

With a superb balance between text and illustration, this is a humorous story which leaves off with a heart-warming sigh.

A knock at the door reveals a bear, who wants to come into the house. And this bear isn't going to take 'no' for an answer. When his persistence suddenly. . .unexpectedly comes to an end, it doesn't have the result which might be expected.

Bear is a big, furry, somewhat clumsy looking and oh-what a huggable mass. Although his persistence is ridiculous, he never comes across as creepy. It's still easy to understand the boy as he turns down the bear time and again. And when things flip-flop, it's a touching treat.

The text is simple and great for a read-aloud, and while it flows well, it's the fitting illustrations which make this such a delightful read. The two balance each other nicely, adding humor and all the other fitting emotions at just the right time. By the end, it's hard not to love both characters and feel warm and fuzzy from the happy ending. This is a lovely read and sure to be one that ends with the request to be read again. And again. And again.



And here they are. . .

The author. . .
Tammi Sauer is the author of Sterling Publishing's Chicken Dance, Bawk and Roll, Cowboy Camp, Mary Had a Little Glam, Caring For Your Lion, Your Alien Returns and Your Alien (for which she earned starred reviews from Publishers Weekly and Kirkus). A former teacher and library specialist, Tammi is an active blogger and highly involved in the children's writer community. Her local bookstore, Bet of Books in Edmond, OK, named July 9 Tammi Sauer Day!
Follow her on Twitter at @SauerTammi. Visit her at tammisauer.com.
Tammi is available for interview.

The Illustrator. . .

Dan Taylor is a children's book illustrator from the UK. Dan has worked with a variety of publishers, including Simon & Schuster, Usborne, Campbell Books, and Scholastic.

Review: Your Alien Returns by Tammi Sauer

YOUR ALIEN RETURNS

by Tammi Sauer

Illustrated by Goro Fujita

Sterling Children's Books

Picture Book

ages 3-8

40 pages

Lexile 510

When you least expect it, something special will get your attention. 

Your alien will be back. 

He will invite you over for a play date. 

 
Come along on an out-of-this-world experience! In this heartwarming sequel to the critically acclaimed Your Alien, it’s the human boy’s turn to visit the extraterrestrial’s home planet—and to feel like an outsider. But with a little help from his very best friend in the whole universe, our young hero finds a way to fit in. Like the two irresistible characters, readers will have the ride of their lives.

MY TIDBITS

With a zoom off into space, friendship and fun abounds with colorful little aliens and tons of galactic surprises.

After shooting back off into space in the first book of this series, the alien has finally returned. This time, he has one word in mind - Play! Goodbye Earth and say hello to a whimsical alien planet, where life holds all sorts of wonders.

The sad parting of book one rebounds into warmth and friendship in this book--something I was glad to see. The alien is back and even livelier and cuter than before. It's off to an alien planet where imagination and fun are key. The adventure of discovering something new shines in these pages with quirky and wonderful ideas. It's just the kind of read which spawns imagination and invites kids to reach for the unexpected.

There is also heart in this book. Friendship, support and encouragement are messages which come across in lovely ways. It also reminds that when discovering something new, things may not always work out as hoped or planned and misunderstandings can occur with new friends too.

The illustrations are bright and modern. Each page holds something new and will invite kids to flip through the book time and again. The aliens are simply hug-able.

Summed up, this is a sweet book for space dreamers ages 3+ and will work great as a real aloud or simply for kids to explore on their own.


And here she is. . .

Tammi Sauer is the author of many Sterling books, including Your Alien, Mary Had a Little Glam, Chicken Dance, Bawk & Roll, and Cowboy Camp. She is an active blogger and highly involved in the children's writer community. Tammi has worked as a teacher and library media specialist, but now writes full time and visits schools around the country. She lives in Edmond, OK, and is available for interview.

All about the Illustrator!

Goro Fujita was born in Japan and now lives in San Jose, CA. He works as a book illustrator, animator, and art director on virtual-reality experiences.  Visit him online at area-56.de.